As the world faces an environmental and climate emergency, the University of Exeter is focused on creating solutions. For more than twenty years we have been leading the way in interdisciplinary research to better understand and tackle environment and climate change. By mobilising our expertise in research and education we are accelerating global action in partnership with governments, businesses and communities.
Beyond our research, our wide range of innovative and thought-provoking courses are teaching and inspiring thousands of students to become the next generation of leaders that will embrace the challenges that lie ahead.
Exeter provides the ideal learning environment for those who want to play their part in building a green future for all, instilling our students with the latest skills, tools and knowledge to become future sustainability leaders. Studying a range of topics including plastic pollution, climate science, food and water security, circular economy and renewable energy, our students learn from academics who are at the forefront of discovering solutions to these global challenges – translating their cutting-edge research into innovative teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Brazilian savannas extend over approximately 2 million km² and are home to more than 12,000 plant species that are currently more threatened than ever. Half of the Brazilian savanna original area has been converted to pasturelands and croplands. Since January 2021, there has been a loss of 3.6k km² of natural vegetation, therefore ecosystem restoration is vital to reverse the trends and protect its biodiversity and people. Yet, knowledge on how to restore Brazilian savannas is still scarce, relative to other ecosystems in Brazil.
Mateus Silva (pictured) is a Brazillian PhD student working to help protect this threatened ecosystem. By analysing key species and their success, Mateus will create models to predict where key species can survive now, as well as with forecasted climate change impacts (eg fire, temperature rise). This can then inform large-scale restoration efforts in order to ensure their success.
We want to help more students like Mateus succeed in making a positive impact on their future, and that of our planet. Will you join us?
Alumni support is vital to the continued success and growth of the programme: your gift can make a tremendous difference. A donation to the Green Futures Fund could support students working in the fields of Biodiversity, Energy, Environmental Intelligence and Marine Science. Whether you can give £50 or £5,000, every single donation adds up to make a huge impact and we are incredibly grateful for every gift. Thank you.
For more information or to discuss how you can support this initiative further, please contact Stephanie Cherington-Rimmell, Senior Development Manager on S.Cherington-Rimmell@exeter.ac.uk